The Gramercy Park Hotel currently sets the bar for New York cool -- hence the celebrities in the lounge and the paparazzi on the sidewalk. It offers ultra-luxe but small rooms done up in high Boho-chic style, a gorgeous gym, an acclaimed Italian trattoria, and a great rooftop bar. True, even guests sometimes feel excluded from the glamour-fest in the bar. But the place is utterly unique.

The Waldorf Towers occupies the top floors of the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel in Midtown East. It is an exclusive boutique with 117 classic, individually decorated rooms, some of which have a rich history of famous guests and long-term residents. Most amenities are shared with its sister property -- including the great (but pricey) restaurants, high-end Guerlain Spa, and beauty salon -- but the hotel has its own lobby, fitness center, elevators, and concierges. Some rooms have underwhelming decor for the price, but for a more personalized stay with a little more luxury than at the Waldorf Astoria, the Towers is still a great pick.

The 214-room Langham Place Fifth Avenue is a modern, luxurious hotel conveniently located close to the popular tourist sites and corporate offices of Midtown Manhattan. Rooms are huge and come with top-notch features (free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, high-end linens and toiletries), but the decor is plain and lacks character. For more striking design, consider the nearby Chatwal or the (slightly less luxurious) Andaz hotels.

The Mark, an historic hotel built in 1927, re-opened in 2009 as one of the best contemporary luxury hotels in New York. The hotel's stunning interiors by France's premier designer are colorful and bold rather than gilded and stuffy, and there's a restaurant and bar from one of New York's most famous chefs. Comfortable, high-tech rooms and personalized service make it a great option for anyone who can afford it.

The Soho House New York -- not to be confused with SoHo, the neighborhood -- is a members-only club that caters to the film and media industries. The Meatpacking district locale also has 30 luxury hotel hotel rooms -- Small, Medium and Big -- that are open to the public. Despite the impressive cuisine (an improvement from days past), food still takes a slight backseat to the hip party scene; alcohol is pervasive in and out of the rooms, from the late-night cocktail scene, to the fully stocked minibars (with fresh lemon and limes), to the "One While Changing," where guests receive a personal in-room visit from a bartender between the hours of work and play. Throw in the infamous rooftop pool and terrace -- which some consider worth the price alone -- the Cowshed spa, library, and free Wi-Fi (for those who attempt to get work done), and it's clear there's not another hotel in NYC quite like it.

The century-old, 282-room Plaza is a New York landmark. A $400 million overhaul in 2008 gave the huge rooms gold-plated bathroom fixtures, but it also converted most rooms overlooking Central Park into privately owned residences. Still, the exceptional spa and 24-hour butler service make it worth the splurge.

The grand, century-old St. Regis is known for its extraordinary service -- rivaled only by that of the Plaza -- but the hotel has many other outstanding features, including 229 elegant rooms with great amenities; a world-class spa, and a great location on Fifth Avenue. While it lacks the pool and Central Park views of the Mandarin Oriental, a famed Bloody Mary at the King Cole Bar more than compensates.

Deliberately business-like, the 368-room Four Seasons in Midtown East has all the luxury essentials: stylish lobby, beck-and-call service, a fine spa and fitness center, and some of the city's largest rooms. Plus, guests can use spa facilities for free. But before booking, check the rates at the Waldorf-Astoria (more historic) or the Mandarin Oriental (better gym).

It's not an icon like the Plaza or the Pierre -- but so what? The Mandarin Oriental, located across Columbus Circle from Central Park, offers a dizzying array of modern luxuries -- a 75-foot pool, one of the city's best spas, sweeping views from nearly every common area, and superb on-site fine-dining options, to name a few -- even as it upholds traditional values and outstanding service.